Glad to hear there are quite a few of us booked on the trip, only just realised I had responses as my email was putting the notification in junk mail so didn't realise, so sorry for not responding sooner. I am getting really excited but I probably will be a little nervous too nearer the time as will be my first ever solo trip but all the reviews of Exodus have been great so hopefully will be an amazing experience. Are any of you flying through exodus or have you arranged separate flights?

Hi everyone, can't believe it is almost here only 6 weeks left, just hoping I have everything I need now!! This is my first ever trip like this, on my own and a lot more adventurous so trying to check everything off, there is a lot to think about :-) but can't wait it looks amazing.

Just wondered what people were taking luggage wise, are most of you going with suitcases? Also for the ladies of the group what were you planning to wear for the meal at the Hill Club as I know it is a little bit more formal with men having to wear shirts etc? Thanks, speak soon

Yes, it will be upon us in no time. I haven't even started to think about what I'll take to be honest, but it's likely it will be a fairly big suitcase as opposed to a back pack, and I'll probably bring a dress for the meal at the Hill Club (though nothing too posh!).

I just had a quick read. I'm sure we'd be alright with a collared shirt and non-jean trousers. A tie won't take up too much room just in case. I'm sure the guys at Exodus will be able to advise accordingly. I'll drop them a line at some point.

On the subject of the above please see reply from Exodus, hope it helps

Simon

Dear Simon, Thanks for your email. Please note that when in Nuwara Eliya the group stays in Hill Club Hotel which has a section of a restaurant where they want guests to wear formal attire. It is just that they do not allow shorts/jeans/scandals when in this section/room. Please note that there are other restaurants in the hotel should you not have shirt or trousers. Also it is not necessary you have to have a suit and tie just formal shirt and trousers is fine should you want to go to this restaurant. Hope this helps Have a lovely trip Regards Niraj

Hi Leo, I went to the GP about a month ago to get all my jabs and was told I didn't need the malaria injection as apparently it is only at higher risk in the northern part of Sri Lanka which fortunately we aren't going to reach. I am not taking any anti-malaria tablets, will just be smothering myself in Deet to avoid as many of their bites as I can! Bit confusing on the Hill Club for you but I think I read somewhere that jackets and ties can be borrowed if required to save you having to take.

Hi Sarah, Thanks for confirming what I thought. Deet is also on my pack list, but too be honest I don't like to use it. So I'm hoping there won't be too many mozzies but I always seem to be a bit of a mozzie magnet so I suspect by the end I will be bathing in the stuff :-) and unless I have a lot of free room then I probably won't be bringing a jacket and will just borrow one if it becomes a problem.

Hi all, booked in Jan and done nothing since except visa; so now thinking I should think about getting myself organised... Thanks to Sarah for sharing advice re antimalarials - saves me a trip to the GP - apparently if you take vitamin B, they're less attracted to you. I've done nothing about the optional activities, although I want to do the elephant ride, whale watching and river rafting. I'm assuming we book/ pay at that time. If anyone knows differently, please let me know. Thanks V

Hi everyone, can't believe it is so close!! I saw the other day we have received our final joining instructions, but when I printed them out I noticed the departure flight from London has changed to an hour later, so it is 21:35 rather than 20:35. Also our return flight gets back to London an hour later too, I'm sure you all have noticed as well but I just wanted to make people aware just in case. Especially if you have organised travel to airport and you need to change the pick up times etc. I phoned exodus to make sure this change was correct as I didn't see any notice from them that flight times were changing, but I may have missed this and they confirmed the times were correct. Speak soon, thanks.

Thanks for the message Sarah - ticking off the days. No, hadn't noticed that but I'll be trekking across London on the dear old Piccadily line in any case.

Did anyone scrutinise the 'Universal Packing list'? Reckon we'll really need a sleeping bag inner if we're staying in hotels every night? Also, hiking boots? Pretty big and heavy to get in a bag/ case. I'm thinking of getting some strap on sandals with good grip which I'm hoping would be ok and just as good.

Just about to get my yearly travel insurance. Anyone got any tips? I was just going to plump for Insure and co or something similar which seem to offer all I need.

Simon I can't imagine a sleeping bag liner will be needed unless I missed something in the notes about camping and I won't be bringing boots but will be bringing walking shoes and sandals. As to insurance i was planning on using the policy that comes with my bank account so I can't really recommend a company but something to keep in mind is that if you were wanting to do the white water rafting then you may want to check your policy covers you.

Wow, looks like everyone is a lot more organised than I am. Will have to read the trip notes in a lot more detail. I am not planning on bringing anything too fancy clothingwise as a daily move between hotels pretty much guarantees everything will be creased! Sleeping bag inner should not be required, I did a similar trip to Indonesia a couple of years ago and the bedding in hotels was always clean.

Have been checking the weather forecase for Colombo and I will be packing a waterproof jacket

Don't worry Ge-Anne, I am far from organised!! I am currently selling my house and buying another so have had no time lately to think about this trip.... but that's going to make it even more special as I will really need the break by then :).

Hi all,
I'm also booked on this trip and am looking forward to it
A little tip about anti-mozzie cream. I found a brilliant Boots brand that worked really well for my South India trip last year. It's called Repel and isn't Deet based. It goes on like body lotion and smells good. I had the yellow Natural Citrepel 75 one last year and wasn't eaten at all (and they usually love my blood) except for once when sea water washed the cream off my ankles. I've bought the light blue Repel Once Light Fragrance one this year which smells even better. Maybe bring along a Deet based one as backup but Repel worked fantastically for me.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Happy packing. Caireen

Thanks for the tip on the mozzie cream. Will have a go at this as mozzies seem to favour me normally. Having said that there are a few more people on this trip which appear to be mozzie bate....perhaps I'll stay close to them instead! Ge-Anne

Hello, so just couple of days to go! Can't believe it is almost here, just praying I have everything I need and that my fitness will be up to scratch :-) thanks to Caireen for the tip on the mozzie cream, unfortunately I have already bought my lotion and it does have deet in it but I didn't think it smelt too bad so fingers crossed I won't repel all of you!!

I just wondered if anyone fancied maybe meeting up in Costa or another cafe in Heathrow departure lounge Saturday for those who are flying with Exodus. Maybe around 7.30ish as we should hopefully all be through security by then, just thought it would be nice as we can have over an hour of getting to know one another before arriving in Sri Lanka. Let me know what you think, Sarah.

Hi Sarah, that sounds good. See you there.
Thanks for the FAQ site, Simon. There's helpful info on there.
Ge-Anne, I think we'll all gravitate towards the ones with the sweetest blood for protection.
See you soon. Caireen

Hi all, I've checked in on line which makes it all feel very real. Can't wait until Saturday, and look forward to meeting you all then - will definitely head to the costa once I'm through security to rendez-vous. V

Hi guys, yep happy to meet up there...though I fear I may need something a little stronger than a coffee after I get through my last minute work deadlines. Can't wait to get on that beach at Marawila!!!

Thanks Victoria you have just made my evening as Exodus told me I couldn't check in online as it was a group booking. Now checked in and definitely feels real now and just need to think about packing and remind myself I'm not going for 6 months :-)